The Showcase Part III: Underclassmen Standouts

Jonathon Gilbert February 22, 2022 @ 05:36 PM

With a slightly smaller field. The third installment of The Showcase produced a solid and competitive day of basketball. The action shifted to Godwin Heights high school after two prior events at Cornerstone University earlier in the year. Highlights of the event were a thrilling overtime victory by Grand Rapids West Catholic over the host squad. Forest Hills Central defending the region against of the top teams in Northern Michigan Traverse City St Francis. While another Northern Michigan squad. Cadillac earned a victory over Hudsonville. Lansing Everett also rolled to a lopsided victory over Forest Hills Northern in the opener. Following are five underclassmen who announced themselves with solid performances at the event. Sophomores [player_tooltip player_id="1223504" first="Jonas" last="Vanderwoude"] 6-3 2024 Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central (pictured at top of article) While teammates [player_tooltip player_id="1211148" first="Jacob" last="Bonnett"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1352906" first="Levi" last="McKenzie"] did most of the work on the defensive end. Vanderwoude step into void and showed the offensive ability that make him an intriguing long term prospect. Well schooled player who shows good off ball movement. Curled off a screen and showed a quick and easy release from the perimeter. Is a good shooter and has excellent size for a two guard already. Used three 3-pointers to finish with 11 points. Starting in a deep and talented FHC backcourt is a testament to his skill level. Should form one of the top backcourts in the region next year with McKenzie. Has plenty of big game experience already. Has played with the Grand Rapids Storm’s top team for a few years. Is slated to continue in that role this summer. Charlie Howell 6-5 2024 Cadillac While the other two sophomores on this list have slightly more established reputations. Howell’s play really opened some eyes on Saturday. Has excellent size and already has the skill set to be a big two guard. Plays the four right now for the Vikings and plays it well. Started out with an impressive defensive play. Skied for a one handed left handed block on the break. Effective offensively all day a in workmanlike manner. Nothing flashy but was automatic in midrange. Aided by quick and efficient release with no wasted motion. Range extends easily out to the three point line. Had three from deep on Saturday. Finished with 17 points. Good all around athlete who is also a standout on the gridiron. If he chooses to be active on the grassroots scene. Has the talent to open some eyes statewide. [player_tooltip player_id="1359511" first="Brayden" last="Szamrej"] 6-1 2024 Hudsonville When I first caught this point guard I was extremely impressed with his all around skill set. Did not have that caliber of a game in Hudsonville’s loss. But still showed the upside that make him a prospect to watch on the west side. Struggled to get going offensively in the first half. But still showed the advanced court vision and innate ability to set teammates up for easy baskets. Has excellent size already for the point guard position. Aids his court vision by allowing him to see easily over defenders. Dribble drive game came alive in the second half. Absolutely put a defender on skates on one impressive drive. Continued to display impressive one handed passes off the dribble with simply the flick of the wrist. Also showed defensive ability with a block of Cadillac’s 6-9 standout [player_tooltip player_id="1068145" first="Cole" last="Jenema"]. Despite going scoreless in the first half finished with 16 points. Will run with West Michigan Future on the Prep Hoops Circuit in the grassroots season. A big summer could elevate him into the recruiting conversation amongst a deep 2024 point guard class. Freshmen *The two freshmen on this list didn’t make contributions that show up in a score book. But showed aspects of their game that make them long term prospects to watch* Gavin Goetz 6-5 2025 Cadillac While the production did not match that of his teammate Howell. Has a a very similar physical profile but is one grade younger. Long athletic frame and moves around the court easily. Comes from a basketball family and is a cousin of former Michigan State standout Matt Costello. Along with Howell (see above) part of a group talented young players that should keep the Viking program from falling off in the next few years. Griffin Baker 6-2 2025 Hudsonville Similar to his counterpart Goetz. Did not leave a mark statistically but showed enough to be intrigued by his future. Has excellent size for the two guard position. And with the presence of Szamrej that will most likely be his positional home. I did not see him over Christmas. So it’s entirely possible that this was some of his first varsity action. If that is the case he appeared comfortable and not intimidated by the stage. Should be part of a young Eagle nucleus featuring Szamrej, and 2024 Jonah Dennis.